Download Anthropology - Saint Mary`s College

Collection Development: Anthropology
I.
Program Description
The program in anthropology gives students an opportunity to develop an understanding
of global cultures of today and in the past. As stated on the program’s web page, “the
program in anthropology offers a course of study that introduces the unique perspectives
of the discipline: a holistic orientation towards the study of culture; a comparative
approach to sociocultural analysis; an emphasis on both the description and the
interpretation of culture; and a concern for the ethical practice and application of
knowledge.”
Students choosing to minor in anthropology have an opportunity to select courses from
four fields: cultural anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and physical anthropology.
Another option is the student designed major which offers the opportunity to have culture
as the framework around which to organize a course of study focusing on women, the
environment, religion, or literature.
II.
Interdisciplinary Relationships
The anthropology program combines a variety of liberal arts studies. Courses in art
history, world history, sociology, humanistic studies, women studies, and modern
languages are but a few areas of study that offer students a unique opportunity to
experience a truly interdisciplinary education.
III.
Accreditation or External Review
Recommendations from the external review to follow.
IV.
Collection Description
A. Library of Congress Classification
The classification for anthropology is GN which includes social, cultural, and physical
anthropology, history and theory, ethnography, and methodology; GR covers folklore.
Classification of individual ethnic groups is in D, E, and F. P covers linguistics as related
to anthropology.
B. Subject Treatment
Relevance to the current curriculum of the anthropology program is the number one
selection guideline with a focus in areas of present course offerings at Saint Mary’s
College. The collection in anthropology is also supported by other social science
collections. Collecting efforts are aimed at maintaining a well rounded collection for the
undergraduate in all areas of anthropology thus providing a basic collection as curricular
and research interests change. As such, collecting will focus on, but not be limited to, the
following subject areas: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, theory of
multiculturalism, ethnography, and individual ethnic groups. Future areas for
development are classical archaeology, archaeological theory and methods in conjunction
with the history department and ethnomusicology and ethnochoreology in conjunction
with the music and dance departments.
C. Languages
English is the primary language of the collection.
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D. Geographical Limits (subject content)
There are no limitations.
E. Chronological Coverage
There are no limitations.
F. Imprint Date
Preference is given to recent publications. Retrospective material will be collected as
deemed appropriate.
V.
Selection and Assessment Tools
Recommendations from the faculty are encouraged and expected. It is assumed that
expertise in their respective fields will guide them in recommending titles for the library
to purchase. Reviews in professional/scholarly journals, publisher’s catalogs, conference
attendance, and association memberships also provide resources from which titles might
be suggested. The collection development librarian along with the other library faculty
will also make recommendations. In addition, the following tools provide useful
guidance for both selection and assessment of the collection:
 Choice Reviews Online
o a review source for academic libraries

Anthropology Review Database (ARD)
o wings.buffalo.edu/ARD/geninfo.shtml
o “The Anthropology Review Database is intended to improve the level of
access of anthropologists to anthropological literature by making them more
aware of what is being published and helping them to evaluate its relevance
to their own interests. Unlike the more traditional print journals, ARD is not
constrained by production deadlines and has few running costs. We can
keep abreast of the production of new materials, and do so in a much more
timely fashion than the traditional media. We envision an almost continuous
flow of information from publisher to reader, by way of this database.
Our style may be a little new to some. ARD has no volumes, issues, or page
numbers, just the name and date of the review, and the site's URL to
reference them. We will also occasionally have multiple reviews of more
controversial items as well as links to, or even full-text copies of reviews
published elsewhere.
The Anthropology Review Database, ARD for short, is a brand new
resource for anthropology and a member of a rare new species of online
publication. Unlike traditional periodicals, ARD reviews are published
individually, as soon as they clear the editorial process. Documents are
housed in an online database where they can be accessed at any time. There
are no delays for printing, binding, or delivery.”
09/11/09
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